– make a difference – be brave – have fun –

THE FEEDBACK BOOK.

Have you ever shied away from giving your colleague a constructive feedback on a specific action or behaviour you have observed?

Have you ever got embarrassed about offering praise to acknowledge their efforts?

Well, I suspect that just like me, you are regularly asking yourself: should I or should I not?

No matter how awkward those moments may be, or how comfortable you feel about offering feedback, there is a way of making it easier.

It takes a form of THE FEEDBACK BOOK – 50 WAYS TO MOTIVATE AND IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR PEOPLE. This is the second book by Dawn Sillett, a management trainer, coach, author, and I am proud to say, also my friend. In her latest book, Dawn is sharing her tested and proven framework for giving feedback, she is giving us the EDGE:

EXPLAIN – using a clear example of the exact behaviour or action that has prompted your feedback. The sooner the better. Stick to the facts and be brief.

DESCRIBE – the effect of the behaviour. What impact has it had on colleagues / results / stakeholders? Keep it factual, short and simple.

GIVE – the recipient the mic. Invite them to speak and give them a fair hearing. What action will they take? What will they do more / less of?

END Positively – with your encouragement and your recipient’s commitment. Let them have the last word whenever possible.

Dawn’s latest book does not start and end only on the EDGE. Her feedback odyssey touches on the ‘why bother with feedback’, proportion of ‘positive strokes’, consistency of ‘course correction’, offering feedback ‘upwards and outwards’ as well as being on the ‘receiving end’. It is a truly rounded exploration of feedback. The book is jam-packed with examples, exercises, tips and a handy cheat sheet. It is a 150-pages jargon-free guide on everything you will ever need to know whenever offering and receiving feedback is on your agenda.

THE FEEDBACK BOOK should be found under every corporate Christmas tree this year. I know I will be sharing it with my clients this year.

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Dawn Sillett has been designing and delivering training workshops and executive coaching for over fifteen years. She has worked with many media, marketing and advertising organisations to develop their talent. Dawn worked in advertising agencies both in the UK and overseas on a range of clients spanning FMCG, finance, automotive, retail and tourism. She has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, is a Chartered Member of the CIPD, and is licensed by the British Psychological Society to administer a range of psychometric instruments. Dawn is also a Coach U-qualified coach, Member of the Association of Coaching and is an NLP Master Practitioner.